Access to water | Town of Cochrane

Cochranites were concerned about our water supply as our community grows. Cochrane has reached a major milestone in its long-term water strategy, officially securing the final piece—the licensing and approvals that ensure future access to water.

Previously, Cochrane had licensing to support a population up to 47,000 people. Now, with the final consumptive licence in place, Cochrane is well-positioned to support growth through 2055, a projected population of 90,000-100,000 people according to Cochrane Growth Study estimates.

This progress was only possible thanks to the collaboration of partners like the Girl Guides of Canada and the Province of Alberta, and the conservation efforts of our residents. Together, we’ve built a future where every drop counts.

What Cochrane has done

To address water access concerns, we've implemented various water conservation measures. Since the approval of the water conservation bylaw in 2008, Cochranites have reduced their average water consumption by approximately 15%, showing our community’s commitment to sustainability. Keep it up, Cochrane!

In 2024, Cochrane partnered with the Girl Guides of Canada, which transferred a non-consumptive licence from Camp Jubilee to the Town of Cochrane, in exchange for site servicing.

In 2025, Cochrane acquired the required consumptive licence to pair with the Girl Guides licence.

This pairing, supported by the Province of Alberta, recognizes that municipalities return most of the water they use back to the river. Together, the two licences provide the water allocation needed to meet the community’s long-term needs.

What we need from the Government of Alberta

Looking for more information?

What is water licensing?

In Alberta, municipalities are responsible for providing water and wastewater services to residents. Water allocation is managed by the Government of Alberta through a licensing program.

Person watering plants with watering can. The plants are lush and green/